Whether you believe it’s the Griz who brings the snow to Fernie, or the cooling effect caused by moist air streams flowing from the Pacific ocean colliding with Arctic air flow above the Lizard Range, there’s no denying that Fernie consistently gets higher snowfall than most of Canada and the United States throughout the ski season.

Fernie is also at a high enough altitude to ensure good snow coverage even in its final days of the season.
Fernie Alpine Resort has 1,082 m/3,550 ft vertical rise from the base to the summit of Polar Peak, elevation 2,149 m/7,050 ft, which is now accessible by the new Polar Peak lift which opened in January 2012. The view from Polar Peak is at its best on a bluebird day when you can see as far as Kananaskis in Alberta, Lake Koocanusa and even into Montana in the United States.

3. Watch or compete in Fernie’s famous Powder Pedal Paddle relay

Saturday April 7 sees Fernie Alpine Resort’s 28th PPP relay and is always the highlight of the late Fernie season for both participants and crowds of spectators.

Participants ski from the top of the Bear Chair to the ski base, transition to their bikes to ride along the highway into Fernie, switch to a kayak to paddle along the river back to the ski hill, and run up Ski Hill Road to the finish line at the ski hill parking lot.

Most of the teams dress up in crazy costumes and there is a party and awards ceremony after the event.

4. Fernie has spring skiing at its best
Swap your face mask for sunscreen and pack some sunglasses for a day on the slopes this Easter.
Ok, so there is less chance of having one of Fernie’s epic powder days – but that doesn’t mean you won’t see the famous Fernie effect – we have been known to get deep snowfall as late as June.
If there isn’t any fresh stuff it just means you don’t have to feel guilty about an extra hour in bed in the morning.
Fernie Alpine Resort’s trail maintenance team will have been working hard all night to make the trails into wide strips of corduroy where you can show off your carving, and off the trails you can find wind-blown stashes of fresh snow, or bumps to challenge your mogul skiing.

5. Your family will love Fernie’s Griz Kidz activities
Fernie Alpine Resort hosts a series of family activities throughout the season – for the Easter long weekend they have already planned a Griz Kidz movie mania night for Friday, April 6, an activity night for Saturday, April 7.
The Easter Bunny always visits Fernie, and this year kids skiing at Fernie Alpine Resort can discover what he leaves behind with the Griz Kidz Great Easter Egg Hunt on Easter Sunday, April 8.
Find out more or call guest services at 250-423-4655